§ 2.55 p.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is probable that because the fees chargeable in magistrates' courts are so low, and the cost of collecting them, and of accounting for them, so high, economy would result if, except in cases of civil debt, they were abolished.]
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, the financial implications of magistrates' courts' fees are not simple, but it is indeed probable that the work of handling them is at present disproportionate to the revenue they produce. My right honourable friend is aware of the concern of those involved in magistrates' courts administration, and is considering whether some fees could be abolished and others possibly increased.
LORD MERTHYRMy Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord for that fairly helpful Answer, if not very helpful Answer, to my Question. I would ask the noble Lord whether he would bear in mind that I think there is no doubt that at present it costs many shillings from the public purse in order to collect the sum of 6d.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, one can be too sweeping on these matters. The noble Lord may well be right when it is a question of court fees in criminal cases. But when it is a civil case, where we try to follow the principle of seeing that the fees cover the expense which the court incurs, and where services are rendered by the court, such as in preparing reports, there might be a case for increasing fees. I agree with him on the 430 first matter, but my original Answer indicates our thinking.
LORD MERTHYRMy Lords, can the noble Lord hold out any hope that some alteration will be made in this matter in forthcoming legislation?
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, I can hold out hope—none of us is forbidden to hope—but I cannot give an assurance as to the date. However, we are most anxious to deal with this matter as soon as we possibly can.